I have started reading the excellent book by John M. Gottman, The Marriage Clinic: A Scientifically Based Marriage Therapy.
I had been wanting the book for a while and I'm glad I finally ordered it. I am only in the first chapter but I am surprised how well Dr. Gottman writes. Usually a book that delves into theory and studies doesn't make an easy read. But this book is a delight to read.
I hope to share some of what I've learned in later posts.
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The more I think about why some people are choosing to not get the COVID vaccine, the more I surmise it boils down to simply following a certain conservative political current.
I think I would never have believed this could happen in the U.S. unless I saw it in action. As it's been said, the human is not so much the rational animal and the rationalizing animal.
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ProPublica recently published, "The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen-Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax." Amazing stuff, yet, as the article says, most people knew the extremely wealthy pay little in income tax, but it's still good to see the nuts and bolts.
I'm quoting from the article here: "In 2007, Jeff Bezos, then a multibillionaire and now the world's richest man, did not pay a penny in federal income taxes. He achieved the feat again in 2011. In 2018, Tesla founder Elon Musk, the second-richest person in the world, also paid no federal income taxes."
As I said, amazing stuff. So next time I hear a conservative lament the horror of extending unemployment benefits, I think I know how to reply.
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Recently there was a march in New Orleans by mothers who had lost sons to violence. And, unfortunately, about one hour later, near where the march was, nine people were shot. It does seem like there is no answer forthcoming about this problem of violence in the city of N.O.
My belief is that this problem is where specialists and scholars in various fields can be of help. Mental health professionals, sociologists, criminologists, and social workers should be among the specialists who offer their knowledge to solve this complicated problem.
Having marches, praying, and highlighting the problem on local news are all good. But they surely aren't enough.
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